With whom can we trade up to get a top 5 pick for the 2015 draft?

[Surferdad]

I agree with those that have said how hard it is to trade into the top 5, especially in a good draft.  Thankfully this is a draft that has some really talent into the top 6-7 picks, which is why I fully support moving our vets .  Even if we don't win the lotto, getting a pick in that 5-7 range would be a big step in the recruiting process.

For me, the more feasible move is to try move up into the 9-14 range by combining the LAC pick with some other goodies.  I think there are going to be some talent to nab in that range in this year's draft.  I could see people passing on Myles Turner because of his lack of athleticism or passing on Cliff Alexander because his lack of polish and lack of height.  If so I'd love to see us move up and get one of those guys.  If we could come out of this draft with something like Prisnaps and Cliff Alexander I would be thrilled.

This is a false argument. The Celtics need a top-3 pick, IMO.  Getting a 5-7 pick is nice but it also means there were 4-6 players who were better in that draft. You don't win championships by taking good players, you need GREAT PLAYERS.  And pleas, do not start with the "getting lucky" in that range. It is possible but a GM cannot count on it.

There is no hope whatsoever to trade up into the top-3 as others have already explained. The only way to do that is to have a superstar who is still producing that you are willing to trade away. Even Rajon Rondo would not have been enough as we just saw.

The Celtics built there 2008 title team without a top 3 pick.  It makes things a heck of a lot easier if you get a top 3, but there are other ways to get talent.

In a draft link 2014 (and hopefully 2015) the talent available in the 4-7 range is better than talent in the 1-3 in lesser drafts.  People smarter than me have said that Marcus Smart would've been the number 1 pick in the 2013 draft.  Not all drafts are created equal. 

And even if we don't get our godhead game changer in the 4-7 range, we can still get a fairly impactful player that can either be part of our next playoff caliber team, or that person may be the main piece in a trade that nets us our next hall of fame caliber player.  No one would mistake Al Jefferson for an MVP level player, but he was the main piece that was used to secure Kevin Garnett for the C's.  And I would not be surprised to see a prospect of Big Al's level come out of the 4-7 range in this year's draft.

Please please PLEASE do not forget that they already had Paul Pierce as a key building block. None of that off-season would have happened without him still here to entice KG to waive his no-trade clause.  Also, Al Jefferson was a HIGHLY touted young player at that point. This roster doesn't have an Al Jefferson sorry to say. There will not be a repeat of what Ainge did that year in 2015.

[slamtheking]

I always figured the C's for 3rd worst record (went on record for 5th worst to give myself some wiggle room) before the Rondo trade.  Post trade, C's are a lock for bottom 5 and probably bottom 3.

posted this in another thread:
C's had climbed to 10th worst record but have sunk to the 9th worst.

Indy and Charlotte look poised to pass the C's in the next 5 games which would push them to 7th worst.

Utah and the Lakers should pass them in the next 10 games which gets them to 5th worst. 

Detroit is playing better now that they've dumped Josh.  They're just 4 games behind the C's.  I would figure them to pass the C's in the next 20 games (probably less) or 25 at the latest.  C's then have 4th worst record.

If Minny gets everyone back healthy in the next 10 games (primarily Rubio and Pek), I could see them catching the C's before the end of the season. 

NY is the Bucks of this season -- grossly underperforming for the talent on the roster.  They aren't contenders but there's no way they should only have 5 wins so far this year, particularly with Melo healthy all season.  If they finally put it together, they could also catch the C's before the end of the season.

The only team in the league that is a clearcut inferior team to the C's is Philly.


--> bottom line, C's should be bad enough to garner one of the centers available in the draft this year barring a brutal screw job in the lottery draft.

If you look at our point differential, we are closer to middle of pack. I don't think we are a bottom 5 team, and I would not be surprised if we still managed to slip into the playoffs. Besides Okafor and Porzingis, I am pretty unimpressed with bigs in this upcoming draft. WCS is a role player, and Town seems to be very over hyped. He's young, but he has not impressed on court so far this season, at least in games of Kentucky I have watched. 

point differential doesn't impress me.  a loss is a loss.

we have no interior defense nor do we have a player that can score for us down the stretch. 

I'll gladly wager a friendly TP that C's are closer to the bottom of the East than they are to making the playoffs.

[freshinthehouse]

I agree with those that have said how hard it is to trade into the top 5, especially in a good draft.  Thankfully this is a draft that has some really talent into the top 6-7 picks, which is why I fully support moving our vets .  Even if we don't win the lotto, getting a pick in that 5-7 range would be a big step in the recruiting process.

For me, the more feasible move is to try move up into the 9-14 range by combining the LAC pick with some other goodies.  I think there are going to be some talent to nab in that range in this year's draft.  I could see people passing on Myles Turner because of his lack of athleticism or passing on Cliff Alexander because his lack of polish and lack of height.  If so I'd love to see us move up and get one of those guys.  If we could come out of this draft with something like Prisnaps and Cliff Alexander I would be thrilled.

This is a false argument. The Celtics need a top-3 pick, IMO.  Getting a 5-7 pick is nice but it also means there were 4-6 players who were better in that draft. You don't win championships by taking good players, you need GREAT PLAYERS.  And pleas, do not start with the "getting lucky" in that range. It is possible but a GM cannot count on it.

There is no hope whatsoever to trade up into the top-3 as others have already explained. The only way to do that is to have a superstar who is still producing that you are willing to trade away. Even Rajon Rondo would not have been enough as we just saw.

The Celtics built there 2008 title team without a top 3 pick.  It makes things a heck of a lot easier if you get a top 3, but there are other ways to get talent.

In a draft link 2014 (and hopefully 2015) the talent available in the 4-7 range is better than talent in the 1-3 in lesser drafts.  People smarter than me have said that Marcus Smart would've been the number 1 pick in the 2013 draft.  Not all drafts are created equal. 

And even if we don't get our godhead game changer in the 4-7 range, we can still get a fairly impactful player that can either be part of our next playoff caliber team, or that person may be the main piece in a trade that nets us our next hall of fame caliber player.  No one would mistake Al Jefferson for an MVP level player, but he was the main piece that was used to secure Kevin Garnett for the C's.  And I would not be surprised to see a prospect of Big Al's level come out of the 4-7 range in this year's draft.

Please please PLEASE do not forget that they already had Paul Pierce as a key building block. None of that off-season would have happened without him still here to entice KG to waive his no-trade clause.  Also, Al Jefferson was a HIGHLY touted young player at that point. This roster doesn't have an Al Jefferson sorry to say. There will not be a repeat of what Ainge did that year in 2015.

What are you talking about?  I never said that there will be a repeat of 2008 in 2015.  You said the C's need a top 3 pick in 2015.  I'm saying it's not necessary.  The 2008 title team proves it.

[Granath]

Please please PLEASE do not forget that they already had Paul Pierce as a key building block. None of that off-season would have happened without him still here to entice KG to waive his no-trade clause.  Also, Al Jefferson was a HIGHLY touted young player at that point. This roster doesn't have an Al Jefferson sorry to say. There will not be a repeat of what Ainge did that year in 2015.

Pierce was drafted 10th. Jefferson 15th.

No one is saying that there will be a repeat of what Ainge did, but it also refutes the argument that you need a top 5 pick. It certainly helps though...and I think this team has 2-3 exceptionally good chances for one (BOS 2015 pick, BOS 2016 pick, BKYN 2016 pick) in the next couple of years.

[greg683x]

The chances of landing a player of pierces caliber are a lot higher if you have a top 3 pick.  Youre chances of a avoiding a heart attack are a lot higher if you change youre diet and exercise properly.  Just bc theres a couple examples of people out there who do neither and end up fine doesn't mean you should be content rolling the dice likethey did.

Im sorry I couldn't think of a better analogy but you get the point.

[slamtheking]

I always figured the C's for 3rd worst record (went on record for 5th worst to give myself some wiggle room) before the Rondo trade.  Post trade, C's are a lock for bottom 5 and probably bottom 3.

posted this in another thread:
C's had climbed to 10th worst record but have sunk to the 9th worst.

Indy and Charlotte look poised to pass the C's in the next 5 games which would push them to 7th worst.

Utah and the Lakers should pass them in the next 10 games which gets them to 5th worst. 

Detroit is playing better now that they've dumped Josh.  They're just 4 games behind the C's.  I would figure them to pass the C's in the next 20 games (probably less) or 25 at the latest.  C's then have 4th worst record.

If Minny gets everyone back healthy in the next 10 games (primarily Rubio and Pek), I could see them catching the C's before the end of the season. 

NY is the Bucks of this season -- grossly underperforming for the talent on the roster.  They aren't contenders but there's no way they should only have 5 wins so far this year, particularly with Melo healthy all season.  If they finally put it together, they could also catch the C's before the end of the season.

The only team in the league that is a clearcut inferior team to the C's is Philly.


--> bottom line, C's should be bad enough to garner one of the centers available in the draft this year barring a brutal screw job in the lottery draft.

STANDINGS WATCH
C's at 9th worst and looking pretty bad
Indy - 1 back
Utah - 1.5 back
Charlotte - 2 back
LA - 2.5 back
Detroit - 4 back
Minny - 5.5 back
Philly - 6.5 back
NY - 7.5 back

Philly and NY are dumpster fires and will likely finish worse than the C's regardless of NY having a healthy Melo this season and better overall talent.  Minny just needs to get everyone back healthy and soon but everyone else should pass the C's by the end of the year if not much sooner.

Clips at 21st pick. 6th slot for playoffs
SA - 2 games back (7th slot)
Phx - 3 games back (8th slot)
OKC - 6 games back (10th spot)

It's unlikely the Clips fall out of the playoffs but I really think SA and OKC will climb the standings during the year (OKC really needs Durant to do it though).  Dallas and Houston are only a game ahead but have made moves to improve (despite what the Rondo detractors believe) and I'd be surprised if the Clips catch them at teh end of the season.  I doubt Phx catches the Clips unless they make a deal to really improve but there seems to be a bit of talk that they might make a deal to do so.  Clips sliding to the 8th slot would certainly help us in the draft this year--would probably be about the 17th pick.

[Surferdad]

The chances of landing a player of pierces caliber are a lot higher if you have a top 3 pick.  Youre chances of a avoiding a heart attack are a lot higher if you change youre diet and exercise properly.  Just bc theres a couple examples of people out there who do neither and end up fine doesn't mean you should be content rolling the dice likethey did.

Im sorry I couldn't think of a better analogy but you get the point.

Thank you Greg and TP for you.  This is exactly my point.  It's a matter of planning, and I believe the Celts need a top 3 pick. If you are Ainge, you can't plan to get lucky at 10 and 15.  I don't understand why the two previous posters don't get that.

[KeepRondo]

I would trade our fourth or fifth pick plus two of the New Jersey picks for the number 1 pick.

This is assuming we end up with the 4th worse record which is what I'm predicting.

And also would it make sense for Philly or Detroit to trade down. I think it does but that would be a hard sell for them to their fans.

[Csfan1984]

It's easier to answer ops question when we know the draft order any guessing now seems silly

[hwangjini_1]

It's easier to answer ops question when we know the draft order any guessing now seems silly

it keeps us entertained, which is why most of us are here to begin with. besides, it beats having yet one more rr thread. 

[SHAQATTACK]

We ve only begun to tank

If fortunes don't smile on the C's

I can see Celtics the 5 th or 6 th worst team  in about another 10 games , maybe less.

I think a 6 th  or fifth Lottery pick is not out of the question.


A Jeff Green trade ....especially soon.....would sink us to certain THIRD or Fourth pick.

[slamtheking]

STANDINGS WATCH
C's still at 9th worst (Indy passed us but Orlando dropped by us)
Utah - .5 back
Orlando - 1 back
LA - 1.5 back
Charlotte - 2 back
Detroit - 2 back
Minny - 6.5 back
Philly - 7.5 back
NY - 8.5 back
=> 5 teams that are within 2 games of us and fully capable of passing us in the standings.  Minny, Philly and NY dropped back a game.  Minny may not catch us unless we trade some vets and Minny gets Rubio and Pek back.

Clips at 22nd pick. 6th slot for playoffs (passed Washington in the overall standings)
Washington - .5 game back
SA - 2.5 games back (7th slot)
Phx - 4 games back (8th slot)
OKC - 6 games back (10th spot)

[Irish Stew]

If we do this right, we should wind up with the 4th worst record. Philly, New York, and Minnesota are tanking correctly and we won't catch them. But 4th place is very doable as we trade off our useful veterans for expiring stiffs and more draft choices. The young guys need to play and this would achieve both our goals. Ainge and Stevens need to be on the same page. If we are going to be young and bad, be young and very bad.

[fantankerous]

I always figured the C's for 3rd worst record (went on record for 5th worst to give myself some wiggle room) before the Rondo trade.  Post trade, C's are a lock for bottom 5 and probably bottom 3.

posted this in another thread:
C's had climbed to 10th worst record but have sunk to the 9th worst.

Indy and Charlotte look poised to pass the C's in the next 5 games which would push them to 7th worst.

Utah and the Lakers should pass them in the next 10 games which gets them to 5th worst. 

Detroit is playing better now that they've dumped Josh.  They're just 4 games behind the C's.  I would figure them to pass the C's in the next 20 games (probably less) or 25 at the latest.  C's then have 4th worst record.

If Minny gets everyone back healthy in the next 10 games (primarily Rubio and Pek), I could see them catching the C's before the end of the season. 

NY is the Bucks of this season -- grossly underperforming for the talent on the roster.  They aren't contenders but there's no way they should only have 5 wins so far this year, particularly with Melo healthy all season.  If they finally put it together, they could also catch the C's before the end of the season.

The only team in the league that is a clearcut inferior team to the C's is Philly.


--> bottom line, C's should be bad enough to garner one of the centers available in the draft this year barring a brutal screw job in the lottery draft.

STANDINGS WATCH
C's at 9th worst and looking pretty bad
Indy - 1 back
Utah - 1.5 back
Charlotte - 2 back
LA - 2.5 back
Detroit - 4 back
Minny - 5.5 back
Philly - 6.5 back
NY - 7.5 back

Philly and NY are dumpster fires and will likely finish worse than the C's regardless of NY having a healthy Melo this season and better overall talent.  Minny just needs to get everyone back healthy and soon but everyone else should pass the C's by the end of the year if not much sooner

Is there a timetable for Rubio and Pekovic? 

[PickNRoll]

I always figured the C's for 3rd worst record (went on record for 5th worst to give myself some wiggle room) before the Rondo trade.  Post trade, C's are a lock for bottom 5 and probably bottom 3.

posted this in another thread:
C's had climbed to 10th worst record but have sunk to the 9th worst.

Indy and Charlotte look poised to pass the C's in the next 5 games which would push them to 7th worst.

Utah and the Lakers should pass them in the next 10 games which gets them to 5th worst. 

Detroit is playing better now that they've dumped Josh.  They're just 4 games behind the C's.  I would figure them to pass the C's in the next 20 games (probably less) or 25 at the latest.  C's then have 4th worst record.

If Minny gets everyone back healthy in the next 10 games (primarily Rubio and Pek), I could see them catching the C's before the end of the season. 

NY is the Bucks of this season -- grossly underperforming for the talent on the roster.  They aren't contenders but there's no way they should only have 5 wins so far this year, particularly with Melo healthy all season.  If they finally put it together, they could also catch the C's before the end of the season.

The only team in the league that is a clearcut inferior team to the C's is Philly.


--> bottom line, C's should be bad enough to garner one of the centers available in the draft this year barring a brutal screw job in the lottery draft.

STANDINGS WATCH
C's at 9th worst and looking pretty bad
Indy - 1 back
Utah - 1.5 back
Charlotte - 2 back
LA - 2.5 back
Detroit - 4 back
Minny - 5.5 back
Philly - 6.5 back
NY - 7.5 back

Philly and NY are dumpster fires and will likely finish worse than the C's regardless of NY having a healthy Melo this season and better overall talent.  Minny just needs to get everyone back healthy and soon but everyone else should pass the C's by the end of the year if not much sooner

Is there a timetable for Rubio and Pekovic?

Rubio will return in "a couple weeks".  No timetable for Pek.